The Colts promoted receiver/returner Griff Whalen from their practice squad, reports Pro Football Talk. He takes the roster spot vacated by linebacker Josh McNary, who was placed on the Commissioner's Exempt List.

Indy is preparing to visit New England in Sunday's AFC Championship Game.

Colts linebacker Josh McNary issued a statement Thursday in which he "unhesitatingly denies all accusations made against him," reports the Indianapolis Star. McNary, 26, is accused of raping a woman after a night of drinking at a downtown bar and faces one count of rape, one count of criminal confinement and one count of battery, per the paper.

The Colts, "after reviewing the documents supporting the very serious criminal charges" against McNary, asked Commissioner Roger Goodell to place him on the exempt list. Goodell quickly complied, making McNary ineligible to play in Sunday's AFC Championship Game at New England.

McNary was taken into custody Wednesday night.

"Following the public release of these allegations, Joshua immediately reported to law enforcement officials in a respectful and peaceful manner," read the statement, issued by attorney Edward F. Schrager.

"The charges and affidavit publicly disseminated on Wednesday afternoon are not evidence of wrongdoing, but simply one side's story."

The paper gave this account:

"A 29-year-old woman told police that a man she met at a Downtown bar after a long night of drinking took her to his apartment and raped her. According to a probable cause affidavit, the two ended up in a bedroom, where the man tried to kiss her face and neck. The woman said he got upset and became aggressive after she turned down his advances.

Documents said the woman scratched the man's neck, face, back and shoulder during a fight that occurred before the alleged rape. The woman said she told the man multiple times to stop. The woman later sneaked out of the apartment while the man was in the bathroom. She told police she ended up taking the man's cellphone because she couldn't find hers."

Police traced that cellphone to McNary, the paper said.

McNary played 15 games this season, starting four, and made 28 tackles.

A warrant was issued for Colts linebacker Josh McNary on several charges including rape, criminal confinement with bodily injury and battery resulting in bodily injury Wednesday, the Associated Press reports.

"We are aware that there has been a report about Josh McNary, but unfortunately that’s the limit of our knowledge," the Colts said in a statement. "At this time we are very concerned and trying to find out what the relevant facts are, but we have insufficient information to venture any opinion. As we learn more we will make appropriate updates."

McNary played 15 games during the 2014 regular season and made four starts, recording a half-sack and 29 total tackles.

Jones had already been ruled out on the Friday injury report, while Muamba and Butler were two of the team's four linebackers to be listed as probable. Linebackers Josh McNary (ankle) and Erik Walden (quad) are active after earning probable tags, as is Reggie Wayne, who was on the injury report with a non-injury-related issue. Also active is offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus, who was listed as questionable to play with a groin injury.